Doctor tells of cancer treatment

A CANCER specialist yesterday told the High Court of the prolonged treatment used to combat the leukaemia suffered by a dock worker exposed to radiation when he refitted nuclear submarines, writes Heather Mills.

Dr Ray Powles, head of the leukaemia unit at the Royal Marsden hospital, London, said that since diagnosis in 1990, Rudi Molinari, 39, had undergone a bone marrow transplant, eight lumbar punctures, intensive chemotherapy and 53 antibiotic treatments. He has suffered hair loss, nausea, diarrhoea, lack of saliva and tears, clinical septicaemia, herpes and lung infections.

In a test case watched by 120 other dock workers also considering claims, Mr Molinari is suing the Ministry of Defence.

The department has denied negligence and breach of duty but has admitted the link between the radiation and cancer and is now only contesting the pounds 250,000 damages claim. Judge William Crowther is expected to assess the sum today.